How To Save Money On Car Rentals? 🚖 14 Best Tips For Saving Money on Car Renting: A Comprehensive Guide

How To Save Money On Car Rentals? To save money on car rentals, compare prices from different rental companies, utilize discounts or coupons, and consider renting for longer periods to avail of bulk discounts.

Renting a car can be a convenient way to explore new places or get around in your city.

However, the costs associated with car rentals can add up quickly, leaving you with a hefty bill.

We will discuss some effective strategies and tips on how to save money on car rentals without compromising on quality or convenience.

Fortunately, there are numerous methods that thrifty travelers can take to get the best deal on a rental car. You could even be unaware of some tools you already have.

Finding a cheap rental car may need some preparation and research, but the cost reductions will make it worthwhile.

---

📝 Here Is The List of 14 Ways To Help You How To Save Money On Car Rentals

The cost of a rental automobile depends on various variables, including when you book, what you book, and who you speak to at the rental car agency.

Similarly, there are several strategies to cut costs while renting a vehicle. Here are 14 tips to help you always obtain the most excellent renting bargain

1. Compare prices using an aggregator

To find the dates for your rental automobile, use a website like Kayak. Hundreds of rental car websites’ prices and types of vehicles will be displayed for you to compare and pick the best bargain.

You can filter and sort the search results according to your preferences. By destination, car rental locations differ.

You can come across a car rental firm you weren’t aware of that provides significant savings over other brands in smaller or foreign cities.

---

2. Join Loyalty Programs For Car Rentals

Rewards, free upgrades, and even the chance to skip the line when picking up the automobile are all available to loyalty program participants.

Members of car rental loyalty programs are also informed of future sales and receive member-only discount codes.

As a member, you might also get a better deal when looking for rates directly on the website of the rental vehicle agency.

---

3. Only Book The Rental Car For The Days You Need It

If your trip begins in a major city, you can probably use hotel shuttles and other forms of public transit to transfer from the airport and navigate the area. You’ll save money not just on the cost of the car hire but also on parking.

Once your travel plans are finalized, and you are ready to begin your road trip, pick up your rental car from a city location (more on this in the next point).

For instance, I take public transportation while sightseeing in London. I get my rental car and drive off to the Cotswolds and the English countryside.

---

4. Choose A Pick-Up Location Somewhere Other Than The Airport

Airport parking for rental cars Because most guests arrive at airports, car rentals are the most expensive there! Moreover, municipal regulations frequently impose additional fees on airport rentals that are added to your bill.

Take a hotel shuttle or public transit into the city if it’s more convenient, then rent a car from a nearby city location.

---

5. Use The Right Credit Card

Rental car insurance is one of the unexpected benefits that most credit cards offer and it can lower the overall cost of your rental.

You may be eligible for coverage if you choose to forego the rental company’s insurance and pay with your card; the type of coverage varies per card.

Antique and luxury vehicles are typically not covered by insurance, which won’t be a problem if you’re attempting to save money. When selecting a card, read the tiny print.

For instance, the Platinum Card from American Express is a charge card that grants you loyalty status at Hertz, Avis, and National, as well as secondary car rental and damage insurance.

These benefits can help you save money and may even get you improvements. Numerous other fee-free cards, like the Chase Freedom Card, are available as alternative insurance.

Travel Budget Calculator

---

6. Do Your Homework On Insurance

The cost of insurance every day is relatively high with rental car providers. When a representative at the rental counter goes over all the options, it can feel overwhelming.

Check with your auto insurance to discover what, if anything, is covered for rental cars to avoid this and spending more than you need to.

It makes sense to use a travel rewards credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, to pay for the rental car as it comes with leading auto insurance.

The card protects you from theft and damage to the vehicle, whether you’re in the U.S. or abroad, so you may decline the CDW or collision damage waiver at the rental counter with ease. Expenses related to travel, such as car rentals, will earn you twice as many points.

Other cards with primary car rental insurance include the corporate credit card Chase Ink Preferred and the airline credit card United Explorer Card.

---

7. Ask About Discounts at the Counter

As a teacher, I regularly inquire about teacher discounts from companies. All I need to do to learn about further savings is present my teacher identification card.

Are you a military or AAA member? Are you over 65? If so, inquire while keeping your ID card in your wallet. You’d be shocked at how many businesses provide discounts but don’t necessarily advertise them.

8. Avoid Using Whistles And Bells

Anything extra will raise the total cost for you. If possible, avoid paying for them. Use the Google Maps app to download and save maps offline in place of a GPS. Operate a manual transmission vehicle.

Don’t spend more for an automatic, especially outside of the United States. Additional fees apply when other drivers are added. Most of the time, day trips don’t require a second driver for short drives.

Instead of paying for a satellite radio upgrade, create music playlists and download podcasts and audiobooks.

Bring your EZ Pass toll responder if it will function at your destination. Use a different electronic toll responder than the one “supplied” by the car rental agency.

---

9. Refill Your Tank

A prepaid fuel option that enables you to return the automobile with the tank empty should be avoided. Although it might be practical, you must pay the rental car company’s refueling charge.

In addition, regardless of how much gas you use, the rental car company will charge you for a full tank.

Instead, refuel before returning the car using an app like Gas Buddy to find the lowest gas costs nearby. Ensure you use a credit card with gas rewards to pay for the petrol.

---

10. Take Advantage Of Memberships. 

Organizations like AARP and Costco memberships offer discounts and special rates for automobile rentals.

Rentals arranged through Costco Travel may result in substantial discounts. When renting a car directly from firms like Budget or Avis or through the AARP Travel Center, AARP members can save up to 30%.

---

11. Follow all traffic regulations.

This one should be evident. In addition to the risk to your safety and the safety of others, speeding, improper parking, and reckless driving are likely to result in penalties and fines.

Read all signs, and abide by all traffic laws in your area. When your rental car is towed because you parked it in the wrong spot, it is not inexpensive. (This is entirely not personal experience; eesh!)

---

12. Get The Smallest Car Available

Your best option for getting the best price will be an economy car. When possible, rent the smallest car available on the lot. If you’re bringing your extended family and all of their luggage, this might not be an option.

Keep in mind that rental car representatives will frequently offer to upgrade you. Although the expense might appear small, it can mount up over time. This extra cost is unjustified if you can fit everything in an inexpensive automobile.

---

13. Stick To Just One Driver

Additional approved drivers typically incur a daily cost from the rental car company, which can be expensive.

For instance, according to Alamo and Enterprise, adding a licensed driver typically costs $15 per day, though the price may increase based on your destination.

While some businesses, like Alamo, do not waive the additional price for a spouse or domestic partner, others, like Enterprise, do. If you and your spouse both intend to drive, conduct thorough research since this may significantly affect the cost of your rental car.

---

14. Get A Free Rental Using Credit Card Points Or Statement Credits.

There are a few ways to arrange a trip using credit card points. You can immediately use points, for example, by using the Chase travel portal.

The only drawback to this approach is that you might not receive any additional benefits from rental car insurance. You usually have to charge the total rental cost to your card to obtain coverage.

Be sure your current auto insurance will cover you; otherwise, you risk paying more for additional insurance from the rental provider.

American Express is one company that makes an exception to this rule and lets you use membership rewards points or a mix of topics and your card and still get the insurance benefit.

Another choice is to use travel credit from a high-end credit card to pay for your rental car. This will not hamper your ability to use any insurance benefits from your card.

You will receive an immediate reimbursement for your rental car purchase up to $300 if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.

With the Capital One Venture Card, you could also exchange your miles for statement credits to apply your reward points to your rental car purchases in the past.

---

🙋🏻‍♀️ FAQs For How To Save Money On Car Rentals

There are a lot of questions that come to mind about how to save money on car rentals some of the commonly asked questions are answered below.

---

😇 Conclusion

Use a trip booking website like Kayak to reserve a car. You won’t be charged in advance when making a reservation, and no credit card information is required.

After making your reservation, go to Autoslash and enter your confirmation number and reservation information.

Now that your reservation has been tracked, Autoslash will continue to look for lower prices right up until the reservation date.

---

🗨️ Tell Us In The Comments Which One Is The Best Tip on How To Save Money On Car Rentals?

Also, don’t forget to book your personalized holiday package with Fiery Trippers. Let us make your vacation a romantic as well as a dreamy getaway.

---

---